1
as in has a fit
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explodes
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the building blew up because of a gas leak
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shatters
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
blew up the biggest rocks and then cleared them away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cracks up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the advertisement blows the new soda up to the point where I half expected to be transported to a higher level of consciousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blows up
This, if possible, blows up in her face even more spectacularly than the brunch fiasco.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Cool, chaotic, and hyper-curious, Xav blows up his sound without losing his style.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
This blows up dinner in a big way.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
The compact vacuum even blows up air mattresses and compresses vacuum storage bags.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
What's Daryl’s psyche like after that boat blows up, and how is that going to play out in season 4?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
The new $106 million Nike man totally blows up a Titans run to start the game.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Cool, chaotic, and hyper-curious, Xav blows up his sound without losing his style.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
This blows up dinner in a big way.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
The compact vacuum even blows up air mattresses and compresses vacuum storage bags.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
What's Daryl’s psyche like after that boat blows up, and how is that going to play out in season 4?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
The new $106 million Nike man totally blows up a Titans run to start the game.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows up
Verb
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Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
-
After a great deal of tense verbal sparring, the suspense explodes into violence and terror.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The glass shatters with a spray that shimmers in the lantern light.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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During one particularly fun moment shared by the LPGA Tour on Instagram, Clark cracks up at Cunningham's energetic approach to the sport — which ended in her accidentally hitting a fan with the ball.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.—
Christopher Anderson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This weekend’s attack on Iran smashes through those limits altogether.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
-
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But waiting for an ideal rate may not be the best approach now, especially before the Fed formally announces yet another interest rate hold.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The trip takes a dramatic turn when the founder of Rockin’ Grandma’s announces plans to step down.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The action Both teams traded blows early in the action, with the Cardinals jumping out to an early lead following a 10-0 spurt – familiar from last Saturday’s matchup.—
Hunter Bailey,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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If Ebikitie blows his market away, Dre'Mont Jones offers a perfect fallback option.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blows up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows%20up. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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